Vacation-bound air travellers wave goodbye to London, Ont. for March break – London
It was a busy day at London International Airport (LIA) on Friday as flight passengers heading for vacation in March got a head start.
Among the crowd are Danny Culhane and Paula Miziorek, traveling west to visit the latter’s son.
The two said they had no problem spending time in the days leading up to their March vacation.
“We’re both retired, so I think we’re always on vacation,” Miziolek joked.
Friday was also the first flight out of London.
“You’re used to Toronto, you’re used to a million people, so it really surprised me when I came,” Culhane said.
“We responded really quickly, people were friendly, helpful and said good morning. It’s great.”
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The Friday morning wait felt long for Courtney Konitzer and her son.
The two are flying west, where they plan to spend their March holidays skiing and nature.
“I haven’t traveled in years and haven’t been on a plane in years, so I’m very, very excited,” Konitzer said.
“[My son]got on a plane earlier this year, so he’s becoming a frequent flyer.”
Kourtney Koenitzer will be joined by her soon-to-be seven-year-old son.
Andrew Graham / Global News
Friday brought a mix of excitement and relief to Suzanne Ong, who was traveling west with her son to meet other family members on their regular vacation.
“The snow has held up well enough that I’m glad it doesn’t look like there will be any cancellations,” Ong said, referring to a snowstorm that hit London during the day.
“I had a few friends traveling from Toronto this week and they had cancellations and delays. I was really nervous about it, and I’m glad it’s going well.”
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Airlines expect a busy summer ahead if airports can catch up
London airports are also doing well, thanks to a number of new trips announced in recent months.
Gerry Vanderhoek, director of commercial and aviation services, said the LIA has been slow to recover from the impact of the pandemic, but flight activity will begin to return to pre-pandemic levels as of the March holidays.
“This summer, in July and August, we will see the record numbers we hit in 2019, with more than 75,000 passengers each month,” said Vanderhoek.
“This summer’s popularity will surely determine what the 2024 season will be like next summer, but right now their booking curve is more advanced than any airline expects, so for us Very exciting. The end.”
Gerry Vanderhoek, LIA’s director of commercial and air services, said the airport is expected to serve more than 75,000 people each month in July and August.
Andrew Graham / Global News
Some of these upcoming flights include low-cost trips from Flair to Calgary, Halifax, Vancouver and Winnipeg, and will operate several days a week beginning in June.
Air Canada’s daily flights to Montreal will also begin in June, while Swoop will operate twice-weekly flights to Abbotsford, British Columbia from May 19, expanding to four weekly flights from June 25. increase.
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